Coupling-clip for whiffletrees



. (No Model.)

J. H. OSBORNEl GOUPLING CLIP F05 W-HIPFLBTRBES.

y No. 539,292. Patented Mey' 14, 1895.

t if,

,PATENT FIIIH.

JOHN H. osBORNE, OF UNION CITY, INDIANA.

COUPLlNG-CLIP FOR WHIFFLETREES.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,292, dated May 14, 1895. Application filed September 29, 1894. Serial No. 524,505. (No model.)

- To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN H. OSBORNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coupling-Clips for Whifiietrees, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyin'g drawings. Y

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in coupling clips for whiftletrees; and it has for its object to provide a device ot' simple construction wh-ich will be easy of manufacture, and which when in position will prevent the nut on the lower end of the coupling bolt from being loosened by the constant vibration of the whiftletree.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

In'the drawings, Figure 1 is a cross section of a whiffletree and cross-bar, showing my coupling device in position; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical sectional View thereof; Fig. -3, a detail View of the removable strap; Fig. 4, a bottom plan of one of the cou pling-plates; Fig. 5, a de'ail side elevation of a modification, parts being broken away toshow its construction.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, ldesignates the cross bar of a vehicle shaft; 2, the whifiletree; 3, the center plate secured to the upper side of the crossbar in any suitable manner, and 4 the center plate secured to the under side of the whifiietree in the center thereof.

The center or coupling plates 3 and 4 are apertured centrally for the passage of the coupling bolt 5. This bolt is preferably formed with a T-head whose under. side closely lits the upper surface of the whiftletree thereby causing said bolt to vibrate with the whiffletree. To prevent the securing nut On the lower end of the bolt 5 from loosening up under this constant vibration I form either on the upper or lower side of the center-plate 4 which is secured to the whitletree, a central boss 6, and form in this boss on the under or- 9. The lower surface of this arm rests and bears on the upper surface of the center-plate 3 on the cross bar, as clearly shown. The lower arm 10 of the strap 9 passes under the cross bar; and these upper and lower arms are apertured co-incidently for the passage of the bolt 5. The vertical arm of the strap 9 passes to the rear of the-cross bar, as shown.

A suitable washer is placed between the cross bar and the lower arm 10 of the strap, and the securing nut 11 is then screwed home, as shown, securely binding all the parts in their proper positions. It will thus be seen that the strap 9, by reason of its upper arm 'fitting snugly within the transverse recess of the boss 6 of the center-plate 4, will be caused to vibrate and turn with the central boltand the whiftletree, and as the securing nut 11 bears on the lower arm of the strap it will vibrate and turn with it without being loosened in the least. I

In Fig. 5 of the drawings is shown a slight modification of the device. In this construction the plate 4L is formed on its upper side with a central angular recess or depression l2 to receive the correspondingly shaped angular head 13 formed on the bolt 5a in placeof the T-head shown in Figs. l and 2. The center plate 4a in this construction is securely bolted or otherwise fastened to the whiftletree, as shown, and as will be readily seen the strap 9 will turn with the whiffletree, plate 4ft and bolt 5a; and the securing nut l1 will remain securely in position as i-n the form shown in Figs. l and 2.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a whiftletree coupling the combination of the cross-bar, the whiftletree, the center plates, a removable, independent, approxi'- mately [-shaped strap, one of its arms extending between the cross-bar and whiftletree and resting between lugs formed on one of the center plates, a couplingbolt passing through the center plates and the other arm of the strap, a securing nut on said bolt binding against said other arm of the strap, substantially as described.l

2. In a whiftletree coupling, the combination of a cross-bar, a whiftletree, center plates on the cross bar and whiftletree, an independent removable strap embracing the cross bar and IOC) adapted to turn with the whiffletree, the horizontal arms of said strap being apertured, the upper arm of said strap resting between lugs on the plate secured to the whiftletree, and a eouplin g bolt adapted to pass through the center plates and the horizontal arms of the strap, and a securing nut binding against the lower arm of said strap, substantially as described.

3. In a whiflietree coupling, the combination of a cross-bar, a whiftietree, a centrally apertured center-plate secured to the Whitlietree and formed with a central angular recess on its upper surface and depending lugs on its under side, a coupling bolt provided with an 

